Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou Day Trip Through the Atlas Mountains from Marrakech

After morning pickup from your Marrakech hotel or riad (a traditional Moroccan house), travel in luxury in an air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle or minibus into the Atlas Mountains and cross the Tizi-n-Tichka pass at 7,415 feet (2,260 meters). As your small group makes its way toward the Sahara Desert along the old caravan route from Marrakech, your guide will share historical information and stories about this captivating area.

Arrive at Aït Benhaddou after a 3-hour drive and see its impressive and intricate kasbah, or castle, that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Aït Benhaddou's well-preserved architecture appears in numerous films including Jesus of Nazareth, Star Wars and Babel.

Continue another 20 miles (33 km) to Ouarzazate, situated on the cusp of the magnificent Sahara Desert. This popular tourist town is home to Atlas Film Studios, the world’s largest film studio. Many famous movies, including Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator and The Mummy, as well as episodes of the television show Game of Thrones have been filmed here.

Pause for an included lunch at a local restaurant and savor a fantastic view of the ancient Taourirt Kasbah, a 300-room palace. Then, spend the afternoon exploring Atlas Film Studios.

Head back to Marrakech as the sun begins to slip toward the horizon and arrive at your hotel or riad at 7pm.